Don’t you just love the magic of an old fashioned soda shop where you can take a step back in time and feel like a kid again? I do, and that’s why I love going to Norm’s News, but when I can’t get to Norm’s, I make homemade milkshakes at home.
_________________________
Established in 1938, Norm’s News is one of three businesses located in the historic McIntosh Opera House on Main St. in Kalispell. Complete with a beautifully carved oak bar and customer counter, Norm’s has lots of charm. Classic ice cream concoctions in a variety of yummy flavors are prepared to perfection. They make their ice cream sodas the traditional way with flavored syrup, carbonated water, and a few scoops of ice cream. Also known as a “float’, the ice cream soda is topped off with a heaping mound of whipped cream and a cherry. It is then served in a tall, pretty soda fountain glass with a long spoon and straw for slurping every last drop.
If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth but you’re not in the mood for ice cream, it’s easy to feel “like a kid in a candy store” at Norm’s News. With over 500 types of candy to choose from, it’s tough to make a decision. Norm’s has everything from those novel waxed lips and bubble gum cigarettes to luscious huckleberry chocolates. It’s a fun place to visit.
On a side note
- Have you ever heard of a soda jerk? Back in the 1950’s when soda shops were most popular, it was a name given to the person that operated the soda fountain. To make a float, the operator had to add soda water to the glass. This required a jerking motion of the handle of the soda fountain machine and thus the nickname of “Soda Jerk” was established.
It’s a good thing to indulge once in awhile, so I’ll leave you with two simple recipes for delicious homemade milkshakes.
Homemade Vanilla Milkshake or White Cow
- 2 or 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups of ice cold milk
Be sure to use hard frozen ice cream and blend until smooth. Serve in a tall glass. Imagine you’re sitting in a soda shop and enjoy!
Homemade Chocolate Milkshake or Black Cow
- 2 or 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups of ice cold milk
Again, be sure to use hard frozen ice cream and blend until smooth. Serve in a tall glass. Chocolate lover’s delight – try using chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla. Imagine you’re sitting in a soda shop and enjoy!
TIP: I love getting bargains! Check your local thrift store for soda shop glasses. I got 4 of the fancy tall ones for just $1.00.
Another article you may enjoy:
Before you go, please share your favorite soda fountain memory with me!
One thought on “Homemade Milkshakes – An Old Fashioned Soda Shop, Norm’s News”
Comments are closed.